Asantha R. Cooray and J. L. Elliot 2003 ApJ 587 L121 doi:10.1086/375329
Asantha R. Cooray1 and J. L. Elliot2
Show affiliationsWe revisit the GSC 5249-01240 light curve obtained during its occultation by Saturn's north polar region. In addition to refractive scintillations, the power spectrum of intensity fluctuations shows an enhancement of power between refractive and diffractive regimes. We identify this excess power as due to high-amplitude spikes in the light curve and suggest that these spikes are due to caustics associated with ray-crossing situations. The flux variation in individual spikes follows the expected caustic behavior including diffraction fringes, which we have observed for the first time in a planetary occultation light curve. The presence of caustics in scintillation light curves requires an inner scale cutoff to the power spectrum of underlying density fluctuations associated with turbulence. Another possibility is the presence of gravity waves in the atmosphere. While occultation light curves previously showed the existence of refractive scintillations, a combination of small projected stellar size and a low relative velocity during the event have allowed us to identify caustics in this occultation. This has led us to reexamine previous data sets, in which we have also found likely examples of caustics.
occultations; planets and satellites: individual (Saturn); solar system: general; turbulence; waves
Issue 2 (2003 April 20)
Received 2003 January 17, accepted for publication 2003 March 14
Published 2003 March 21
Asantha R. Cooray and J. L. Elliot 2003 ApJ 587 L121
A Peregon et al 2009 Environ. Res. Lett. 4 045028
N M Tchebakova et al 2009 Environ. Res. Lett. 4 045013
S. Haddad 2007 EPL 80 62001
A. Paizis et al 2007 ApJ 657 L109
Will Clarkson et al. 2008 ApJ 684 1110
S D Pinches et al 2004 Plasma Phys. Control. Fusion 46 B187
Lih-Sin The et al. 2007 ApJ 655 1058
Ji-Lin Zhou and Yi-Sui Sun 2003 ApJ 598 1290
Eugenio J. Rivera et al. 2010 ApJ 708 1492